Geography

The Republic of Cuba consists of an archipelago that includes the largest island in the Caribbean Sea and the Western Hemisphere. Seen from above, the main island resembles a crocodile, sunning itself in the Caribbean.

The archipelago also includes more than 1,600 smaller islands. Three bodies of water surround the island of Cuba: to the north is the Gulf of Mexico, to the east is the Atlantic Ocean and to the south and west is the Caribbean Sea. Key West, Florida, the southernmost tip of the United States, lies about 180 km to the north.

Haiti lies to the southeast, separated from Cuba by the Windward Passage. Jamaica is just south of Cuba. Mexico lies to the west.

Much of Cuba's territory is mountainous. There are 3 main mountain ranges: La Sierra de los Organos in the west, La Sierra del Escambray in the central region, and La Sierra Maestra in the southeast. Cuba's highest mountain is located in the Sierra Maestra range. It is called Pico Real del Turquino and is almost 2,000 metres above sea level. From its summit, on clear days, the Blue Mountains of Jamaica are visible, about 140 km away.

The remaining Cuban territory consists of fertile plains used for growing sugar cane and tobacco. In central and western Cuba, the landscape is primarily savannah (grassy plains), used for tobacco farms and cattle ranches. In Guantánamo Province in the southeast, there is a desert. About 300 beaches surround the island. 

Most rivers in Cuba are relatively short and the water currents are quite strong. They flow through the mountains, creating beautiful waterfalls such as Salto del Caburni and Agabama Falls. Cuba's longest river is the Cauto River in the east. It is about 240 km long.

25% of Cuba is forested. Trees include cedars, ebony, kapok trees, giant figs, mahogany, oaks, pine, royal palm (the national tree) and mangroves along the shoreline.

The national flower is the mariposa, a species of jasmine; other flowering plants are begonias, bougainvillea, bromeliads, hibiscus, jacaranda, orchids, oleander and poinsettias.

Cuba has no large mammals; the most common mammals on the island are bats. There are a number of species of reptiles such as crocodiles (the Cuban crocodile is an endangered species), chameleons, iguanas and lizards.
Over 300 species of birds are to be found in Cuba.

As well as the bee hummingbird (the world's smallest bird), green parrots, woodpeckers and the tocororo (the national bird), there are many water-birds living in the mangrove swamps: pelicans, cranes, herons and flamingoes. The island is an important resting place for many migratory species. Cuba is also home to hundreds of species of butterflies.

Big game fish, such as marlin are found in the surrounding sea. Other inhabitants of the waters off the Cuban coast are the sailfish which has been known to swim up to 110 kph, the whale shark, the world's largest fish and the marine turtle.

Deforestation began with the Spanish occupation and many hectares of forest were cleared for plantations and cattle ranches. In 1978 Cuba set up the National Committee for the Protection and Conservation of Natural Resources and the Environment. Alternative methods of pest control are being used and a reforestation program has been implemented. Cuba has a Green Belt area and a number of National Parks and Nature Reserves. Alejandro de Humboldt National Park and Desembarco del Granma National Park are World Heritage sites.

July and August are the hottest months. During January, Cuba's coolest month, temperatures average 21°C. The rainy season lasts from May to October. Cuba is subject to violent hurricanes, particularly in the autumn. Hurricanes develop to the south and east and move across the island toward the north. Tropical storms accompany the hurricanes, causing rivers to flood cities and towns.